ENSC 1005 Lecture Notes - Goby, Silt, Thermal Pollution
31 Mar 2013
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Covers 70% of earth"s surface 97% is saltwater, 3% is freshwater (most of which is locked up in glaciers, ice caps or inaccessible groundwater; a very small amount is easily available to us) Most available freshwater continuously recycled (see fig 15. 3) Irrigation for crops biggest user of water. Energy production (oil, gas & power plant cooling) Problems: freshwater shortage demand exceeds supply, too much increase in deforestation (urbanization) leads to increase in flooding. Managing resources: increase supply (build dams and reservoirs, tapping groundwater, improve efficiency. Supplying more water: - construction of dams and reservoirs (see fig 15. 13) Water released as needed for hydroelectric power, irrigation, control flooding, recreational purposes. Loss of land and habitat: - tapping groundwater (see fig. Aquifer depletion, subsidence, intrusion of saltwater into aquifers as well as pollutants. Control population growth; develop crops that require less water: desalination. Removing salt from ocean waters by distillation/reverse osmosis.
